Chateau National Treasure

You’ll be saying ‘enchanté’ from the moment you arrive at this majestic chateau, where charm and history go hand in hand. Less than a ten-minute drive from the famous beaches of Normandy, this noble home in the countryside feels like a beautifully kept secret you’ve just stumbled upon. Originally built in the 17th century and featuring more recent additions (including an enormous 100sqm professional stainless-steel kitchen perfect for entertaining), the home’s red bricks, slate roof and multiple turrets make for a visually arresting sight. It’s surrounded by ancient woodland and wonderfully manicured gardens where hundreds of rose bushes and rhododendrons sweetly scent the air. This home includes membership at a tennis club located just over a kilometre away, and the nearest golf course is just two kilometres away. Inside, it’s hard to know where to begin, but the bedrooms on the top two floors are all elegantly decorated in a distinctly French style, while downstairs great room after great room is set up to give you a warm welcome. Evidence of the centuries this home has lived through is everywhere – from the period features to the antique furniture and original artwork. And history lovers will no doubt want to explore its past – which included a stint during the war as a Nazi command centre, only to become a transit camp for the Allied forces after its liberation. But that’s not to say the modern world is lost on it. There are two swimming pools in the garden to enjoy and a movie room with projector screen – all of which help to keep things firmly in the 21st century.

Home truths:
*Between October and June there are additional costs to heat the home
*The lap pool can be heated on request
*Many of the bedrooms feature inter-connecting doors
*While the guest count is fourteen, six additional guests and two extra bathrooms are available for an added cost
*There are several optional extras available with this home including a private chef, babysitting services, and massages
*A cottage on the grounds can be rented for further capacity – speak to the host
*This home has two swimming pools – a family-friendly pool and a 25m lap pool
*Home highlights include a home cinema, ping pong, petanque, badminton, and a tree swing